Black Friday Alternatives in the Big Apple

New York City offers one of the best retail experiences in the world. But even the most die-hard consumer can feel overwhelmed at the prospect of shopping the Big Apple on one of the busiest days of the year: Black Friday, the retail-centric day after Thanksgiving that traditionally marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season. But what if you want to bypass the line of shoppers that are sure to snake throughout the city and still get your splurge on?

Black Friday provides the perfect excuse to visit the stellar collection of NYC museums. And, guess what? These gorgeous, and relatively quiet, venues are also home to some of the best gift stores in town. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) has an incredible design and bookstore on West 53rd Street (across from the museum), while the Guggenheim Museum offers Picasso-themed products that are priced to take home. Seasonal shoppers might want to check out the Holiday Shop at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and science buffs will love the what-the-heck-does-that-do gizmos and gadgets available at the American Museum of Natural History

And don’t forget to check out the delicious restaurants located inside these spectacular museums. After all, it’s no fun to shop — or see art — on an empty stomach.